The Tribune

Grand Bahama saw a 67,184 increase in the number of occupied hotel rooms for the 2014 first half, a rise likely driven by the Memories Resort’s opening.

Data released by the Department of Statistics shows that between January and July 2013, some 136,262 rooms were occupied in Grand Bahama.

For the same period in 2014, 203,446 rooms were occupied – a difference of 67,184.

In percentage terms, between January and July 2013, Grand Bahama’s hotel industry enjoyed occupancy levels of 49.52 per cent.

During the same period this year, the sector had an average occupancy level of 56.23 per cent- reflecting growth of 6.71 percentage points.

Room revenue also grew over the six-month period.

Between January and July 2013, total room revenue for Grand Bahama’s hotel industry was $12.087 million.

That number grew to $16.426 million, an increase of $4.339 million or 35.9 per cent, for the same period in 2014.

The minister of tourism, Obie Wilchcombe, said: “Grand Bahama has shown tremendous improvement over the past seven months and it continues to improve.

““With continued focus and determined efforts, Grand Bahama will return to its glory days and, by extension, the Bahamas regains its place as the premier global destination.”